For those of us accustomed to footage of Hitler’s troops obediently goose-stepping their way to world domination, the subject of Operation Valkyrie may come as a shock. But it goes without saying that a leader as reviled as Hitler might be the target of an assassination plot. Operation Valkyrie was a plot masterminded by Hitler’s own upper-level military personnel.

Lead by Claus von Stauffenberg, a group of military leaders planned a coup utilizing Operation Valkyrie, originally envisioned as an operation to maintain order of civilian population in the event of a major upheaval. Unfortunately, Hitler escaped with his life and his regime intact.

This two-DVD set explores the life of von Stauffenberg leading up to his involvement in the resistance, as well as details of his plot and the aftermath. Stunning footage from the WWII color archives paired with computer-generated re-enactments and interviews with family members of those involved bring these historic events to life.

Grade: B

Operation Valkyrie: The Stauffenberg Plot to Kill Hitler is currently available.